A walk in the parks: A look at Destin’s hidden treasures

If you’re looking to sit, relax and enjoy a quite sunset overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay or ride the waves of the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Destin has a park for you.

The city of Destin has about 18 parks nestled around town.

They are “the hidden treasures,” of Destin and each one has a little different draw.

The sugar white sand and emerald green water keep folks coming back to June White Decker Park, while the incredible view pulls them out to Norriego Point.

However, Clement Taylor Park is still known to have the best sunsets and is one of the cities oldest parks.

Here is a list of city’s parks:

•Buck Destin Park – Located on Legion Drive, the park has two tennis courts, basketball court, a children’s play area and the recently renovated building used for activities and is available for rentals. Open daily, 9 a.m. to dusk.

•Capt. Royal Melvin Heritage Park – This park at 206 Harbor Blvd., is under development.  Once completed, it will feature pathways, benches, picnic tables, and a view of the Destin harbor.

•Children Park at Morgan Sports Center – Located next to Morgan Sports Center, this park has plenty of parking, picnic tables, playground, and public restrooms. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to dusk.

•Clement Taylor Park – Located on Calhoun Avenue, this park has a swim area, benches, grills, parking area, pavilion, picnic tables, playground, public restrooms, sand volleyball court, and waste receptacles. Open sunrise to sunset.

•Destin Dog Park — Located at 4100 Indian Bayou Trail, the dog park is the city's newest park. Opened in 2012, the Destin Dog Park has separate areas for big and small dogs, benches, dog watering stations and ample parking at the City Hall Annex. The Destin Dog Park is open from dawn to 10 p.m. daily (closed Tuesday mornings from dawn to 10 a.m. for maintenance).

•Harbor Lane Park – Located at 603 Harbor Lane this park is open dawn to dusk on the eastern shoreline of Joe’s Bayou.

•Harborview Park – Located at the intersection of Beach Drive and U.S. 98. It offers benches, handicapped parking, picnic tables and a waterfront deck area. Open dawn to dusk.

•Jewel Melvin Park – At 1999 Cordgrass Court. This is a neighborhood park along the southern shoreline of Twin Lakes with parking area, trails, benches and picnic tables.

•June White Decker Park - This park provides public beach access to the Gulf of Mexico from Scenic U.S. 98 adjacent to the Silver Shells Condominiums. It has a beach swim area, bike rack, parking area and public restrooms. Open daily dawn to dusk.

•Kell-Aire Park North/South – Located on Kell-Aire Drive, this neighborhood park has benches, bike rack, nature walk and a playground. Open daily dawn to dusk.

•Main Street Park – This .75 acre waterfront park is located at 605 Main Street has a picnic area and pier. Open dawn to dusk.

•Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk – Located at 825 Beach Drive offers a picnic area, pier and walkway through wetlands. Opens daily, dawn to dusk.

•The Shores at Crystal Beach Park – Located at 2966 Scenic Highway 98, this park offers parking, pavilion, picnic tables, public restrooms and showers. Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Others on the list include: Dalton Threadgill Little League Park at 711 Hickory Street, the Destin Sports Fields at 430 Kelly Street behind Destin Elementary, Joe’s Bayou Boat Launch, Morgan Sports Center and Norriego Point.

To learn more about Destin’s city parks, see www.cityofdestin.com.